News

Meet The Smart Contact Lenses Powered By Tears

Researchers in Singapore have revolutionized the humble contact lens with self-charging smart capabilities.

Published

1 year ago

October 30, 2023

Nour Nasir

meet the smart contact lenses powered by tears

NTU Singapore

Contact lenses have been used to successfully correct vision for decades, but recently, they’re beginning to evolve into something much more interesting.

Researchers from the Nanyang Technological University (NTU) in Singapore have developed a tiny micrometer-thin battery that can power futuristic smart contact lenses that rely on the wearer’s tears for power.

Although smart contacts are nothing new, most attempts so far have relied on thin batteries with tiny induction coils and wires. Obviously, these metal parts aren’t ideal for a device that sits directly on the wearer’s eye, so an NTU School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering (EEE) research team led by Lee Seok Woo has been working on something better.

According to a press release, the NTU team’s battery uses biocompatible materials coated with a glucose-based layer. The coating reacts with the sodium and chloride ions present in the battery to generate electricity. Since both sodium and chloride ions are also found in tears, the smart lens battery can also be recharged while in use with no additional effort from the wearer.

Speaking about the research, Lee Seok Woo said, “This research began with a simple question: Could contact lens batteries be recharged with our tears? Previous techniques for lens batteries were imperfect, as one side of the battery electrode was charged, and the other was not. Our approach can charge both electrodes of a battery through a unique combination of enzymatic reaction and self-reduction reaction”.

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According to the NTU team, the lenses should be good for a full day of use, and can also be placed in a special solution that keeps the battery charged. “By combining the battery and biofuel cell into a single component, the battery can charge itself without the need for additional space for wired or wireless components. Furthermore, the electrodes placed at the outer side of the smart contact lenses ensure that the eye’s vision cannot be obstructed”.

The NTU scientists are already working on boosting the amount of electricity the lens battery can deliver. Their research has been published in the journal Nano Energy, and they’re also in the process of partnering with contact lens producers to bring the technology to the market.

News

Samsung To Roll Out One UI 7 Starting April 7

The update will introduce AI-driven tools and Google integration, along with a fresh design and enhanced personalization options.

Published

2 days ago

March 20, 2025

Nour Nasir

Samsung

Samsung has confirmed that One UI 7 will officially begin rolling out on April 7, bringing a fresh design and enhanced personalization options. This update is tailored for a more intuitive user experience, powered by AI-driven improvements. Initially, One UI 7 will be available in the U.S. on the Galaxy S24 series, Galaxy Z Fold6, and Z Flip6 starting April 10. The rollout will gradually expand to more Galaxy smartphones and tablets in the following weeks.

Refined Design And More Customization

With One UI 7, Samsung is introducing a cleaner, more cohesive look aimed at making customization easier and more intuitive. The home screen, widgets, and lock screen have been redesigned to streamline navigation and personalization.

One standout feature is Now Bar, which provides real-time updates directly on the lock screen. Whether checking workout progress during a run or seeing what’s playing on Galaxy Buds, users can access key information with just a swipe — no need to unlock the phone.

AI-Powered Enhancements For A Smoother Experience

Samsung has integrated AI into One UI 7 to make everyday interactions more seamless and efficient. Galaxy AI helps users complete tasks with minimal app switching, while AI Select suggests relevant actions based on selected content. For instance, users can swipe the Edge Panel and tap the AI Select icon while watching a video to instantly create a GIF.

Writing Assist — a favorite tool for Galaxy users — will now offer automatic text summarization and formatting. Meanwhile, Drawing Assist provides a creative boost by generating visuals from text prompts, images, or sketches. Another highlight, Audio Eraser, allows users to fine-tune video sound by isolating and adjusting different audio elements.

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Finally, Samsung has added greater integration with Google Gemini. Users can simply activate Gemini and ask, “Find Italian restaurants with outdoor seating that are pet friendly” to get instant recommendations. Natural language search also makes adjusting settings easier — users can now tap the mic icon in Settings and say, My eyes feel tired, to receive suggestions like dimming the screen or enabling Eye Comfort Shield.

Device Compatibility And Rollout Schedule

The One UI 7 update will begin rolling out on April 7, with more devices receiving it in the weeks that follow. Compatible models include the Galaxy S24 series, Galaxy S24 FE, Galaxy S23 series, Galaxy S23 FE, Galaxy Z Fold6, Z Flip6, Z Fold5, Z Flip5, and the Galaxy Tab S10 and Tab S9 series.